off-the-wall

[ awf-thuh-wawl, of- ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. markedly unconventional; bizarre; oddball:

   an unpredictable, off-the-wall personality.

off-the-wall

adjective

1. slang.
   off the wall when postpositive new or unexpected in an unconventional or eccentric way

   an off-the-wall approach to humour

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-the-wall¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-the-wall¹

C20: possibly from the use of the phrase in handball and squash to describe a shot that is unexpected

Idioms and Phrases

Eccentric, unconventional, as in That idea of opening a 100-seat theater is off the wall . This expression probably originated in baseball or some other sport in which the ball can bounce off a wall in an erratic way. [ Colloquial ; 1960s]

Example Sentences

She described Heller and Adams as "a dynamic pair, finding ways to punctuate their bizarre tale with brutal honesty, off-the-wall humour, and a desire to celebrate the messiness and magic of motherhood".

From BBC

“Maine Justice”: Most creative, off-the-wall skit of all time, perfectly performed.

From Los Angeles Times

Oatly, meanwhile, has continued to highlight the environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, but in surprising, off-the-wall ways.

From Salon

“David was definitely the strangest cat I’d ever seen, and I’d been around some off-the-wall characters, even at that point in my career.”

From Salon

“They may come up with some real off-the-wall ideas, but that’s what experimentation is all about.”

From Seattle Times